Canadiens News

Markov takes Molson Cup for October

Andrei Markov has led all Canadiens blueliners with an average of 25 minutes of ice time, including a season-high 31 minutes in New York on Oc.t 6

PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL - As the Canadiens' Player of the Month for October, defenseman Andrei Markov is the first recipient of the Molson Cup for the 2005-06 season.

Markov collected 20 points in Molson Cup standings, receiving the honor for the first time of his career. He also becomes the first defenseman to win a Molson Cup segment since Vladimir Malakhov in February 1999 (31 segments). Markov finished just ahead of Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev and Jose Theodore, who has been the end-of-season Molson Cup recipient since 2000-01.

Markov, who has played in all 12 games so far this season, has two assists, including his set-up of Mike Ribeiro's game-winning goal late in Montreal's 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs on October 8 in Toronto.

The Russian blueliner leads all Canadiens defensemen with an average ice time of 25 minutes per game. He was named the game's first star in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Rangers in New York, when he logged a season-high 31 minutes.

A presentation honoring the Molson Cup winner will take place prior to Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, at the Bell Centre.